Methods for making bands from yarn or the like



May 10, 1960 M. H. BRISCOE 3 METHODS FOR MAKING BANDS FROM YARN OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 18, 1956 INVENTOR MADISON H. BRISCOE Unite States r 2,935,838 METHODS FOR "BANDSiFROM YARN on THE LIKE Madison H. Briscoe, Athens, Ga., assignor, by mesne as,-

slgnments, to C rcular Banding Company, Inc., Athens, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Application January 18, 1956, Serial No. 559,954 2 Claims. c1. 57-158) flexible yet strong and should have a smooth and firm outer surface in order to minimize friotionwhich, of

course, canbeespecially troublesorne at high speeds. By employing methods and apparatus in accordance with vthe teaching of the present invention, it is possible to make such bands, and the term band :is to be 'under'stood as mcludm'g the term belt, relatively rapidly and economical- 'Furthermore, the completedband isv structurally in iqruhbrrum and presents a"'sr'nooth and firm "outer surace. 1

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of making bands which are useful for power transmitting purposes from yarn or the 'like.'

It is another object of the present invention to provide such methods whereinthe completed band is made from a cont nuous length of unstretched elastic yarn or the like twisted in such a manner that the completed-band is structurally in equilibrium, presents a smooth and firm outer surface, and has a controlled maximum amount of elasticity.

It is a further object of the present invention to .pro vide such methods whereby the amount of twist 'to be imparted to the yarn or the like may be readily "controlled.

It is still another object of the present invention 'to provide a method of making an elastic band which is adapted to be completed into'an endless'band.

It is a still further'object of the present invention to provide new .and improved apparatus for making elastic bands useful for power transmitting purposes "from'yarn or the like.

Briefly described, a preferred-method according tothe teaching of the present invention includes an initial step of winding or otherwise forming :a length-of unstretched yarn, elastic nylon or cottonyarnforexample, into two groups ofstra'nds having a common-apex. The strand groups are so disposed that they define-an acute angle and are'pre ferably in the form of an elongated V. .Prep aratory to twisting the strand groups as next described,

"the two ends of theSIength'ofyarn are buried among the strands of'one strand group adjacent one of the open V ends. The two open V ends are then twisted in the same direction "andpreferably "at the same rateof twisting while theapex'of theV is held against rotation. This twisting is stopped b'efore kinkingoccurszand results in two twisted atentj strand groups/the ends of the yarn which were placed in one of the strand groups prior to the twisting now being locked securely within the twisted strand group. After the twisting of the ends is stopped, the ends are still held but the apex is released to permit the twistedstrand groups to twist together upon themselves into an elongated band. Following this last mentioned twisting action, the two formerly open ends of .the V are brought together, the strand groups continuingto'twist together upon themselves as this is done, and secured together by a suitable means such as a band hook.

A preferred apparatus for carrying out the method just described includes two adjacent shafts each having a hook projecting from a corresponding end. The shafts are supported so that they, and the'hooks, may be rotated simultaneously in the same direction. One of the shafts has a clip mounted thereon 'for securing one free end of a length of yarn preparatory to threading the yarn aboutthe hooks. A tail hook is positioned away from the elongated V. "The tail hook is preferably supported by a free turning shaft. However, pin means are provided for insertion betweenthe :two groups of strands extending from 'the tail book so that when the strand groups are twisted by the shaft hooks, the tail hook may be keptv from rotating thereby permitting the two strand groups to be twisted by the shaft hooks. .Then, when the shaft hooks are'stopped and the pin removed from adjacent the tail hook, the free turning tail hookpermits the two strand groups to twist together as described above.

The tail hook is adjustable as to distance from 'the 'head hook but does not move forward during the twisting operation as is the case with banding :machines according to the prior art with which I am familiar. The twisting of the elastic yarn causes an increased tension .on the strands, since the tail hook'does not move forward, thus preventing kinking until the proper twist is inserted in the strands. This automatically controls and gives the proper twist to a given length of strands to be twisted, thereby insuring a more uniform percent of stretch and tension in the completed belt when it is on the pulleys of the machine on which it is useda Other objects and advantages of the present invention will'become more apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the attached drawing'in'which:

Fig. lis a view showing an initial step in making a ho'ok type band one preferred form of apparatus-according 'to the teaching of thejpresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a subsequent stepwherein two strand groups have been'formed preparatory to twisting; v.

Fig. 3. is a view similar :to Fig. 1 showing anothersuba pair of similarly shaped adjacent shaft members% and 4- each supported for rotation by a suitable frame 5.

Each shaft member is provided with a pulley member '5 and a belt 7 is trained around the pulley member'sso that sha-ft members 3 and 4 may be rotated at the'samje speed and in the same direction.

Each shaft member has a hook extending in an axial direction from the end of the shaft member as shown in the drawing. Thus, hook 8 is shown as extending from shaft member 3 and hook 9 is shown as extending from shaft member 4. Shaft member 4 is provided with a spring clip for holding an endof a length of yarn while the hook members are being threaded as described more fully hereinafter.

The tail assembly 2 includes a hook 11 which is supported by a bearing member 12 so that hook 11 may turn freely about a longitudinal axis indicated by the line AA in Fig. 1. This longitudinal axis is preferably so located that an extension of line AA toward the head assembly 1 will pass substantially midway between shaft 7 members 3 and 4. With this positioning of hook 11 and since hook members 8 and 9 are similarly shaped and in adjacent relation as shown in the drawing, the respective hook members may be said to be located at the corners of an elongated isosceles triangle.

A pin member 13 is located adjacent hook 11 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This pin member is supported by suitable means, not shown, so that it may be readily removed from the location shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support means also permitting the pin member to be moved along axis AA if desired.

In practising a preferred method according to the teaching of the present invention, a length of yarn 14, which may be described as being strand material, is drawn from a suitable source such as a creel, not shown, located adjacent the head assembly 1. The yarn may be of any suitable material, even sufficiently flexible and strong non-metallic material, depending upon the properties desired in the finished band. Generally the yarn will be an elastic yarn, elastic nylon or cotton yarn for example, so that thecompleted band will be elastic in nature.

Preparatory to drawing the length of yarn 14 from a creel or the like, the free end X of the yarn is secured beneath spring clip 10 as shown in Fig. 1. The yarn is then drawn from the supply source and passed or threaded about tail hook 11, then about head hook 8, then back around tail hook 11 to head hook 9 as shown in Fig. 1, care being exercised not to stretch the elastic yarn unduly so as to decrease its elasticity. This completes what can be described as one threading cycle and, in each subsequent cycle, the yarn goes from head hook 9 to head hook 8 via tail hook 11, and back from head hook 8 to head hook 9 via tail hook 11.

The number of threading cycles employed depends, of course, upon the desired diameter for the completed band or belt. When the threading cycles are completed, there will be two groups of strands disposed in an elongated V as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, strand group extends from tail hook 11 to head hook 8 while strand group 16 extends from the tail hook to head hook 9. It is apparent that the number of strands in each strand group can be predetermined as desired.

When the desired number of strands have been threaded on the hooks as just described, the length of yarn is cut to provide a cut end Y shown in Fig. 2. Yarn end X is then removed from beneath spring clip 10 and the two ends X and Y inserted among the strands of strand group 16 adjacent head hook 9. Once they are so inserted, the ends X and Y are preferably maintained within strand group 16 by holding the strand group by hand, where they have been inserted, preparatory to the twisting step next described.

With the yarn ends X and Y in proper position as just described and with pin member 13 in position adjacent tail hook 11 so that it extends between the strand groups 15 and 16 closely adjacent the tail hook, shaft members 3 and 4 are both rotated at the same speed and in the same direction as indicated by the curved arrows B shown in Fig. 2, thus causing head hooks 8 and 9 to rotate in the same direction and at the same speed. This action twists both strand groups 15 and 16 since pin member i 13 forms an obstruction which holds tail hook Il against rotation. Assuming-that the yarn ends X andY have been held in among the strands of strand group 16 by hand, they will be held until the twist locks them in the twisted strands of strand group 16. The twisting of both strand groups continues until the desired amount of twist is imparted to each strand group, twisting being stopped before kinking takes place. The configuration of strand groups 15 and 16 following the twisting just described may be observed in the portions of the strand groups shown adjacent head hooks 8 and 9 in Fig. 3.

When the desired amount of twist has been imparted to each strand group the rotation of the head hooks is stopped and pin member 13 is removed from between the twisted strand groups. This frees tail hook 11 for rotation whereby, due to the twist imparted to each strand group, the strand groups 15 and 16 twist themselves together as shown in Fig. 3. The curved arrow C shown in Fig. 3 indicates the direction of rotation of tail hook 11 showing, of course, that the twisted strand groups 15 and 16 twist themselves together in the direction in which the twist was imparted to them.

After the strand groups 15 and 16 have twisted together to adjacent the head hooks 8 and 9 as shown in Fig. 3, an open band hook 17 is inserted into the loop 18 which is on head book 8. Loop 18 is then lifted off of hook 8 by lifting band hook 17 and suflicient tension is maintained on strand group 15 to prevent kinking while this is being performed. Then, the band hook and loop are brought over to the other head hook 9. The two strand groups 15 and 16 continue to twist together as the loop 18 is brought over to the other head hook 9 until the loop 18 and the loop 19 at the end of strand group 16 come together. Portion 20 of band hook 17, this being the portion which is already inserted through loop 18, is then also inserted through loop 19 which is on head hook 9. When this is accomplished, loop 19 is lifted off of head book 9 by lifting band hook 17 and the portion 21 of the band hook is caught on head hook 9 as shown in Fig. 4. Then, by suitable clamping means indicated at 22 in Fig. 4, plier jaws for example, the portion 20 of the band hook is closed to grip the loops 18 and 19 together firmly. The band 23 may then be removed from head hook 9 and tail book 11 and is ready for use. In such use, and after the band has been inserted through a pulley or the like, the band hook portion 21 will be passed through the loop 24 at the other end of the band and closed to form an endless band or round belt.

In an alternate method, following the forming of the two twisted strand groups as described above, the pin member 13 is moved toward the open end of the V instead of being removed completely from between the twisted strand groups as described above and the head hooks 8 and 9 continue to rotate to restore twist used up as the twisted strand groups twist together upon themselves behind the pin member. The pin member is preferably moved to the left along axis AA as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is apparent that as it is moved away from the apex of the V, the tail hook 11 will start to rotate due to the twist present in the two twisted strand groups 15 and 16. The continued rotation of head hooks 8 and 9 is preferably at a speed proportional to the rate of movement ofpin member 13 so that the twisting together of the strand groups and the restoring of twist by the head hooks will be substantially uniform. This alternate procedure has the advantage of producing a firmer band since the continuing twist imparted by head hooks 8 and 9 restores twist which is used while the two twisted strand groups 15 and 16 twist themselves together behind the pin member.

It is seen from the foregoing that I have described and illustrated methods and apparatus for making bands from strand material, such as nylon or cotton yarn, for example. By employing my apparatus and practising my methods, a band, or round belt as it can be called, can

by the presence of a knot formed by tying the yarn ends' together. Also, burying the ends of the length of yarn as described provides a much faster operation as compared to one involvingforming a knot or otherwise attempting to secure the yarn ends to each other. In short,

the completed band is in structural equilibrium, even though formed by twisting, presents a firm and smooth outer appearance, and has a controlled twist and percent of stretch.

While I have described and illustrated embodiments of 'my invention I wish it to be understood that 'I do not intend to be restricted solely thereto but that I do intend, to cover all modifications thereof which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which come within the a length of elastic yarn into two groups of strands forming an elongated V; burying each end of said length of yarn ina strand group, placing an obstruction between of said V in the same direction, at afspeed proportional tothe rate at which said obstruction is moved away from said apex to thereby control the twisting together of the strand groups behind the obstruction and torestore twist used up when the twisted strand groups twist together .upon themselves, and then, when the twisted strand groups have twisted together upon themselves to form an elongated band, securing said ends of said V to each-other.

2. The method of making an elastic band of controlled stretch and twist which is useful for power transmitting purposes, said method comprising the steps of temporarily securing the free end of a length of elastic yarn upon a first support, extending the length of yarn from said first support to a third support via a second support and then back from said third support to said first support via said second support, said second support being freely rotatable at a fixed position, continuing to thread said length of yarn in the manner described to form two strand groups of predetermined size having a'common apex atsaid second support, cutting said length of yarn, removing the free end of the length of yarn from the temporary securing means on said first support and bury ing said free end and said cut end of yarn among the strands of the strand group extending from the first support to the second support, rotating said first support and said third support in the same direction while holding said second support stationary to produce two twisted strand groups, releasing said second support after a predetermined twisting of said strand groups has occurred said strand groups closely adjacent the apexofmsaj gl V, to permit the twisted strand groups to twist together.

said obstruction preventing rotation of said apex, twls ing each end of said V in the same direction while maintaining said obstruction in place between said strand groups closely'adjacent to the apex of said V to prevent rotation of said apex despite such twisting, preventing said apex from moving toward the ends of saidV while said twisting occurs,"stopping saidtwisting before kinking occurs, then, while continuing to hold the ends and apex of said V, moving saidobstruction away from said together upon themselves, continuing to twist the ends "-apex toward the open end of said V, allowing the held t up on themselves to form an elongated band, and then securmg tegethg the ends of the twisted strand groups References Cited in the file of Germany Aug 10, 189 

